Comment: The main topic of interest this spring in unquestionably the offense and how it can improve from its historical low of 18.8 points per game in 2013. Everything starts at quarterback, with Driskel returning from a broken leg. Freshman Will Grier enrolled early, so the question of whether he piled up gaudy stats against inferior high school competition will get addressed.

Comment: The team’s strength turned into almost as big a liability late in the season. Injuries were a problem. So was the amount of time spent on the field because the offense couldn’t move the ball. There is enough talent to be among the best units in the SEC.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key losses: RET Loucheiz Purifoy.

Key returnees: P Kyle Christy, PK Austin Hardin, PK Francisco Velez.

Comment: Can’t get much worse when it came to the actual kicking part of the kicking game. But UF will always find an effective returner, and its coverage is as good as it gets.

LAST WORD

Fair or unfair, all eyes will be on new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and Driskel, especially because fans and the media will be able to attend eight practices.

Florida, coordinator eager to rev up offense in spring

Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel is back after breaking his leg early last season, and he's excited to get started under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper.

It will be all about the O in Gainesville this spring.

Last year, it was more like “Oh, no.”

With new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper bringing a fast-paced system and the promise of total autonomy in personnel and play-calling, the Florida Gators will undergo what coach Will Muschamp admitted will be a “drastic change, schematically.”

Although Roper won’t be able to display what Muschamp meant until the beginning of spring practice Wednesday, players on that side of the ball are buying into the notion that spread formations out of the shotgun or pistol, with faster turnarounds between plays is the way to go in the current era of college football.

“Very good positive response from our players,” Muschamp said about the upcoming changes. “They’re excited about where we are now. We haven’t gotten on the field and done a lot as far as football is concerned but the guys are excited. That’s good. You’ve got to have belief in what you’re doing. I felt like that was a huge issue for us last season.”

That’s as close as Muschamp might come to admitting that his expressed desire of controlling the ball on the ground was antiquated. After Gators fans watched Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer rack up yards, points, victories and championships with wide-open offenses, going 4-8 in 2013 has apparently convinced the current UF coach.

“It affected our entire team, from the offensive side of the ball,” he said.

The good news for all concerned is that Jeff Driskel, who guided Florida to an 11-2 season and the Sugar Bowl in 2012, is back after playing in only three games before breaking his leg against Tennessee. Driskel was recruited by Meyer and will be playing for his third offensive coordinator, but Muschamp said that’s the least of his worries.

“Jeff’s been exposed to a lot since he’s been here, schematically, so he’ll be able to adjust well,” Muschamp said. “I think he’s more comfortable in the gun.”

The Gators also will get a look at prize quarterback signee Will Grier, who enrolled in January.

Muschamp rattled off a series of statistics that convinced him that running and passing out of a shotgun will fit the team’s personnel better than last year’s system. For example, in 2012, the Gators averaged 6.8 yards per running play out of the shotgun, and more than 60 percent completion percentage on passes from the gun. When Driskel was under center, Florida was a shade over 4 yards per carry, and its completion percentage was less than 50 percent.

“Obviously, the quarterback’s legs have a lot to do with the run game being so efficient,” he said.

But for any system to work, the Gators need to stay healthier along the offensive front.